Sharpe, Murrieta Mesa, too much for Chaparral

Murrieta Mesa's Shane Staton, guides the ball to the net as Chaparral's Ben Schultz, tries to guard him during their game at Chaparral High Friday night. Murrieta Mesa prevailed 66-49.
— Andrew Foulk | Special to the UT

Murrieta Mesa's Shane Staton, guides the ball to the net as Chaparral's Ben Schultz, tries to guard him during their game at Chaparral High Friday night. Murrieta Mesa prevailed 66-49.
/ Andrew Foulk | Special to the UT

TEMECULA  A two-time All-CIF selection in football, Murrieta Mesa’s Khalil Sharpe made a name for himself on the gridiron as a wide receiver.

Friday night, Sharpe showed he’s a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood, as well.

Sharpe scored a game-high 20 points to lift the Rams to a pivotal 66-49 Southwestern League road win at Chaparral.

“We really encourage multi-sport athletes at our school,” Murrieta Mesa coach Russell Ham said. “I think it helps. I think it helps his vision. I think it helps his strength. If you have a tough guard guarding him, he can physically go around him. I think as a sophomore, he was getting pushed around a lot. I think he’s stronger now. Football definitely helps.”

The win helped the Rams (14-9, 4-2) keep pace with Great Oak (13-8, 4-2) for the Southwestern League lead.

Murrieta Mesa, Great Oak, Chaparral and Murrieta Valley entered the evening in a four-way tie for first place at 3-2.

A zone defense team, Chaparral (14-9, 3-3) changed up its strategy Friday night after it took a 72-51 drubbing at the hands of Murrieta Mesa in the league opener Jan. 9.

The Pumas decided to play man defense early in the contest, but Mesa’s guards proved to be too tough to handle.

Guards Shondell Smith (16 points) and Trevon Session (13 points) joined Sharpe in double figures as the Rams took control of the game in the second quarter, rolled into halftime with a 37-22 lead and never looked back.

Sharpe played a well-rounded game as he compiled a game-high eight assists and four steals. The Rams point guard also had four rebounds.

Sharpe, a three-year starter, appeared poised and in command of the Rams offense all night.

“We want him to get up and down the court,” Ham said. “He’s the catalyst of that. Some guys bring the ball up the court and slow it down. We want to get him the ball, because he looks for other guys to get involved. He really didn’t force the issue today. He just let the game come to him.”

Despite lacking a true big man, the Rams have emerged as a serious title contender with three consecutive wins. Two years ago, Murrieta Mesa went 0-10 in league during their inaugural season. They improved to 5-5 last year in league and this year their all-around speed and athleticism is starting to open eyes even though they lack ideal size.

“We bring hard defense and we try to run as much as we can because we have a fast team,” Sharpe said. “We try to play defense, get steals and try to get out there and run.”

Overmatched by Murrieta Mesa’s athleticism, Chaparral had a difficult time making its long-range shots, its bread and butter.

Chaparral has dropped two straight following an eye-opening, three-game winning streak versus Temecula Valley, Great Oak and Murrieta Valley.

“You can’t give Jacobsen breathing room because he is going to knock it down,” Ham said. “You can’t give Coyle breathing room because he is going to knock it down. Because we have speed, we can move laterally and can control where they go and who they are going to pass it to.”